NEWS

Japan coach Takeshi Okada on Friday expressed satisfaction with his side’s preparations ahead of Saturday’s opening game against China in the East Asian Championship in Tokyo and revealed that he was looking to win the biannual tournament for the first time.

“This is a tournament we haven’t won yet,” he said following his team’s final tune-up session at Ajinomoto Stadium, the venue for Saturday’s game. “So, we want to make it this time.”
Japan finished second in the previous three versions of the East Asian Championship, including the 2008 edition when Okada had only been in charge of the national team for two months. Two years ago, Japan drew 1-1 with DPR Korea, beat hosts China 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Korea Republic.
“It is hard to compare with the team from two years ago, but it was soon after a World Cup qualifier in Thailand and we had some injured players at the time,” Okada pointed out. “This time, we are aware that this tournament is part of the run-up to the World Cup, and I feel that we are in better shape mentally.”
Okada also said that Tuesday’s Kirin Challenge Cup friendly against Venezuela, which ended 0-0, helped his side.
“Thanks to the Venezuela match, we have been able to clarify many things that we need to work on and we have had some good sessions since then.”
The 53-year-old Japan coach pointed out that China have reinvigorated their team with younger players under a new coach and they are playing an aggressive style with strong, physical players.
Japan has an 11-4-7 win-draw-loss record against China.
“I hope we can play good football and win tomorrow,” Okada stated.
China coach Gao Hongbo, who took over from Vladimir Petrovic of Serbia last April, has brought in younger players as they aim to qualify for the 2014 World Cup following their failure to make it to this year’s event in South Africa.
The former China international said he was unable to call up a number of players from teams taking part in the AFC Champions League.
“I would like to give playing opportunities to the players I have here,” said Gao, who experienced the 2003 East Asian Championship as an assistant coach.
“Our team got together only 10 days ago, and we are preparing for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. In this tournament, I want to see how far our players have progressed.”
Gao continued: “China started their professional league at more or less the same time as Japan, but they have made it to the World Cup four times since then, while we only managed it once, in 2002.
“I think we have many things to learn from Japan. But not everything is decided by abilities in football. We will play against Japan in good shape and we will do our best tomorrow.”